(Image Credit: IMAGN) Cantor Jennifer Stevens lead the congregation in song at the Cathedral Of The Assumption in downtown Louisville during Ash Wednesday services on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
San Diego, California – The San Diego City Council has approved plans for a 900-seat mega-church in Del Cerro, reversing its previous decision amid community opposition and a federal lawsuit.
In a 5-4 vote on Tuesday, the council greenlit the All Peoples Church project, which includes classrooms and over 300 parking spaces on a six-acre site near San Diego State University. The decision comes after the city initially rejected the proposal in January 2024, prompting the church to file a lawsuit alleging religious freedom violations.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, who voted in favor of the project, cited the potential costs of further litigation as a key factor. “While it may seem like no big deal to say we will fight this to the ends of the Earth, there are real costs associated with that. I cannot in good faith say that we should fight this to the ends of the Earth when I do not think that we will succeed,” he said.
The contentious meeting featured hours of public comment, with supporters and opponents voicing their views. Pastor Robert Herber of All Peoples Church emphasized the church’s desire to “serve this city and be great neighbors.”
However, many residents expressed concerns about increased traffic and safety risks. “People fly down that hill. I couldn’t imagine adding another light with more pedestrians in the mix, with an already dangerous crosswalk situation,” one Del Cerro resident said.
Critics also argued that the residentially zoned land should be used for housing, given the city’s housing and homelessness crisis. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who voted against the project, said, “Using residentially zoned land to build a project that has no housing, my view is irresponsible under the current conditions that we face in our city.”
While some union leaders supported the project for its job creation potential, the majority of public speakers opposed the council’s reconsideration. “It sounds like you will be trading public safety for the threat of litigation expenses in Federal Court,” resident David Schwartz said.
The final vote saw Council members Jennifer Campbell, Stephen Whitburn, Marni von Wilpert, and Raul Campillo opposing the project, while the remaining five councilmembers voted in favor.
